Dispensing carton



2 Shets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR nm ulflllnltlllHIHI C. L. GILBERT DISPENSING CARTON Filed Nov. 20, 1943 Sept. 19, 1944.

Sept. 19, 1944. c. -GILBERT- 2,358,502

DISPENSING CARTON Filed Nov. 20, 1 945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

@9618 Z. Chiba??? ,IIIIIII/l I Patented Sept. 19, 1944 DISPENSING CARTON Clyde L. Gilbert, Elkhart, Ind assignor to American Coating Mills, Inc., Elkhart, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application November 20,1943, Serial No. 511,015 (01. 229-9) 4 Claims.

This invention relates to containers and has to do with a, container in the natur of a dispensing carton.

My invention is directed to a dispensing carton of comparatively simple and inexpensive constructhe blank of Figures 1 and 3, but with the lower end fold-over flap only partially closed, the slide tion comprising a casing or sleeve and a slide mounted for sliding movement in the sleeve so as to be disposed within the latter or outward therebeyond, the slide and the sleeve being so constructed and related thataccess to the contents of the slide cannot be had, by one unfamiliar with the structure of the carton, without tearing of the carton, thus rendering the carton pilferor theft-proof. More specifically, the slide is closed at its ends by flap means including fold down end closure flaps which extend along a wall of the slide' and -are provided adjacent their inner ends with securing means,-these flaps cooperating with locking or stop means in suchmanner that the inner end portions of the flaps and the securing means are disposed within the sleeve in either position of the slide, the latter being initially completely closed so as to prevent access to the contents thereof. This carton is intended for dispensing candy, chewing gum, and various other substances in the form of pellets, tablets, or comparatively small pieces, and, in orderthat the panel to assist in removing the latter, thi tab;

also cooperating with the sleeve and the locking means referred to above to assure that th slide is properly positioned relative to the sleeve for removal of the tear-out panel. Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the detail description,

In the drawings:

, purchaserof a carton of one of the substances referred to may dispense the same-from the carton, the slide is provided in a wall thereof with a being shown approximately full size;

Figure 5 is an isometric side view of the carton on an enlarged scale, showing the manner of inserting the slide into the sleeve;

Figure 6 is a front view of the carton, shown approximately full size, with the slide in its inner or closed position, and the position of the slide when inits outer or projected positi indicated in dotted lines;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 but with the slide in its projected position and the tearout panel completely removed;

Figure 8 is a back view of the carton, on the same scale as Figures 6 and 7, with the slide in its inner or closed position; I

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8, but with the slide in its outer or projected position;

Figure 10 is a sectional view, on-an enlarged scale, taken substantially on lin I 0-40 of Figure 8; and

Figure 11 is a fragmentarysectional view taken substantially on line ll-ll of Figure 10. I

The slide and the sleeve of the carton are formed from blanks cut from a suitable sheet material, preferablly folding box-board, .which possesses adequate mechanical strength and appreciable resiliency. The slide blank, shown in Figures 1 and 3, comprises a front panel I! to one side edge of which is attached a side panel It provided at each end with a side end closure flap, ii, a second side panel i8 attached to the other side edge of panel l5 and provided at each end with a side end closure flap I 9, a back panel attached at one side edge to side panel l8, and a glue lap 2| attached to the other edge of panel 20. The panel i5 is provided at its lower end with a fold-down lower end closure flap comprising an end flap 22 attached atone edge to the lower end of panel l5, and an extension flap 23 attached to the other edge of flap 22; The extension flap 23 ,is provided, at each side of its inner portion; with a Figure 1 is an inner face view of the blank from which the slide is formed, the blank being shown approximately one-half actual size;

Figure 2 is an inner face view of the blank from which the sleeve is formed, on the same scale as Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a front view of the slide blank in its folded and glued condition, on the same scale as Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 1s a side view'of the slide formedfrom and an arcuate forward edge 26. Front panel l5 is provided at its upper end with a fold-down closure flap comprising an end closure flap 2'! attached at one edge to the upper edge of panel l5, and an extension flap 28 attached to the other edge of flap 21 and provided at each side of its inner portion with a securing tab 29 having a straight outer edge 30 and an arcuate forward edge 3|. Front panel I5 is further provided, at the upper end portion thereof, with a tear-out element or panel 32 cut from panel l5 at its the top or ,upper edge of tear-out panel 32. Back panel 29 is provided at its lower end with an end closure flap 4i and, at its upper end, with an upper 29 are inserted through the upper slits 44 in back panel 20, such insertion of the tabs 29 being facilitated by the resilient tongues 46. In folding down and securing of the fold-down flap, comprising the flap 2'! and extension 28 thereof, this flap is pulled tightly about the upper back edge of the structure, as will be explained more fully presently with reference to closing the lower end of the structure, providing a rounded edge 48, for

end closure flap 42, from the forward edge of .which extends a dust flap 43. Back panel is further provided at each side and adjacent each end thereof with a lengthwise slit 44, and with two short transverse slits 45 extending from the ends of slit 44 and defining therewith a resilient tongue 49.

In the above description-of the slide blank, the.

various elements thereof have beendescr'ibed with reference to the positions which they oc- 3 cupy in the set-up slide, when the latter is held in its upright position for use, withla viewtoa purpose which will be later explained. In that manner, the slide is formed from the blank of Figures 1 and 3, and is closed at its upper end. This slide is then charged or loaded with candy, chewing gum, or. other substance, while supported in an inverted or upside down. position,

after which the lower endof the'slideisclosed- 1 by first folding the side lower end flaps .ll'a'hd l9 downward and inward, then folding'flap ll: into overlying relationqtofthe flaps I! and i9, after which the lower fold-down end clQsllreflap, co

prisinggthe fiap-22 and extension fl thereof, is

.foldedabout the lower end of the slide, tabs 24 being inserted through'thejlower-slits-44 in back clearness of description. The blank of Figure l is suitably scored or creased so as to divide it a into thelvarious panels, flaps, and tabs referred to, providing fold lines therebetween, as isvknown in this art, it being. noted, however, thatthe tear.-

out panel 32 initially constitutes an integral part of the front panel I. In order to produce the slide from the blank of Figure 1, back panel 20 is folded down in overlying, relation tothe side panel i8 and the front panel is, glue or other adhesive is applied to the outer face of glue lap 2|, and side panel I is then rolled or folded down onto glue lap 2| and held in position thereon, under appropriate pressure and for a. suitable time, until the glue lap and panel iii are effectively secured together by the adhesive, this operation preferably being performed by machinery in a known manner. The folded slide blank then appears as in Figure 3.

The folded and secured set up to produce the slide of Figure 4. In doing that, the side panels 13 and I3 are forced toward each other by exerting pressure at the sides of the blank and breaking the scores between the panels, moving the front and the back panels into superposed spaced relation with the side panels extending therebetween perpendicular thereto. That produces a structure of substantially rectangular cross section and open at its ends. The upper end of this structure is then closed by first folding downward and inward the upper side and flaps l1 and I9, it being understood that these flaps are cut apart from the flaps 21 and 42 in ass of Figure 3 is are inserted through the corresponding slits 44, thejout'er straight edges 25' of these tabs contact the .edgespfbackpaneI 29:=att he' lower-ends of the slits, pulling the lower fold, down :ilap tightly about the lower 1 end of the slide providing, a roundedcornenor edge 43'; shownmore clearlyin Figures -9 and lQg-at the'lower backedge of the slide. Y when the slide has 'been thus setup and charged andlclosed, the thumb tab 31- 'projects outwardly beyond side panel I; offfthe slide, in

the plane of front panel i 5,;'a's in Figure 4. The dust flap is of,slightly. less length than the tear-out panel 32, so that, upon removal of tearout panel 32, it mayreadily be swungoutward by inserting a fingernail beneath its lower end. The. dust I-flap l3 isalso reduced .in-width at its lowerfportion; l3a, theupper portion 43b thereof being of the same width asthe upper portion of tear-out panel 32;] I I The blank from which the casing or sleeve is formed, shown in-Figure 2,1is'rofigenerally oblong shape." describing'this blank, the various elements'thereof will .bereferred to with/respect to the positions which they occupyin the completed carton, when the latter is in'its normal upright the cutting of the blank, thenbending dust flap 43 forward substantially at right angles to end closure flap l2 and moving the latter flap forward and downward into overlying relation with the flaps I1 and I9, and with dust flap-l3 disposed at the inner face of tear-out panel 32, after which the outer upper end closure flap 21 is folded down into overlying relation with flap 2,

as this extension is moved into position at the outer face of back panel 20, the securing tabs position, with a view. to clearness of description. This blank is suitably cut and scored in a known manner to provide a sidepanel 50 attached at one edge,- along a'fold line, to a front panel ii, a side panel 52 attached to the" other side edge of panel 5| along afoldxline, a back panel 53 attached at one edge along 'az fold line to the other edge of panel52,iand a'gluelap 54 attached atone edge along a fold line to the other side edge'of; panel 53. Front panel-5| is cut out from its lowerend-to provide a thumb notch 55, and the upper edge portionofthe blank is cut out to provide a shallow-notch 56 extending from approximately the midpoint of this edge-to the side panel- 52, the latter. being'provided at its upper end with a notch 5!v opening into; and. forming a continuation of thenotchiG: 'Side' panel is cut to provide a stop or lockingtab 58 nicked at its upper and lower edges'to panel-5 2, at59, this tab beingattaehed at its'outer end to backpanel 3.. at .60. c e n monerthe fo d, ine. s rating. this'panel.andthepanel-H. 5

In-order to form thehblankof'lligurefto the casing or sleeve, back panel 53. is folded down over the side panel 52 and front panel il, with the glue lap also overlying the front panel 5i with its free edge spaced a short distance inward -.from the fold line between side panel 58 and front panel 5|. Glue or other suitable adhesive is then applied to the outer face of glue lap 54,

and, by pressure exerted at opposite sides of the' blank moving the front and the back panels 5| and 53 into spaced apart parallel relation, with the side panels 50 and 52 extending between the front and the back panels'perpendicular thereto,

thus producing the open ended outer casing or sleeve'of rectangular cross section, shown in Figures 5 to 10, inclusive.

After the sleeve has been set up stated, the carton is completed by insertion of the charged and closed slide into the sleeve. Prelimiin the mannernary to insertion of the slide, locking tab 58 is freed from side wall 52 by breaking the nicks 58, and is turned inward and downward toward the back panel 58. Referring to Figure 5, the

tab with possible injury thereto. After the slide has-been inserted sufficiently far to retain. the tab 58 in its depressed position, the forefinger 3 which the locking tea-ta is shown in dotted lines,

and the upper end fold-down tab is shown in dotted lines with the inner end of its extension 28 in contact with the upper edge of tab 58. It will be noted that in the inner position of the slide, within the sleeve, both of the end folddown closure-flaps and the securing means therefor are disposed within the sleeve, the securing means for'the flaps respectively guarding against outward movement thereof relative to the back wall of the slide, which renders it impossible to open either end of the slide without tearing or damage to the carton, which contributes to rendering'the carton theftor pilfer-proof.

In order to dispense the contents of the carton, the slide is moved from its inner position to an outer position, shown in dotted lines in Figure 6 and in full lines in Figure 7, in which the upper end portion of the slide projects outward beyond the sleeve. That is. accomplished by exerting pressure upon the lower end of the slide withthe thumb, thus moving the slide into its projected position, in which its lower end is'disposed at the upperend of thumb notch 55 substantially flush therewith, the panel or front wall l at the upper end of this notch providing a stop for preventing further outward movement of the slide and with which the thumb contacts for that purpose. In the outer projected position of the slide, the inner end of extension 23" of the lower end fold-down closure flap is in contact with the lower edge of may be'withd'rawnfrom the locking tab 58, and

the slide fully inserted into the sleeve. In the continued insertion of the slide locking tab 58 is held against the back panel 53 of the sleeve by extension 28 of the upper fold-down closure flap, until the lower edge of this extension passes beyond the upper edge of the tab. When that iency of the material from which the sleeve is formed, springs forwardly a short distance into contact with the outer face of back panel 8. this movement of the tab being evidenced by a clearly audible click. When the slide has been fully inserted into the sleeve, theends of the slide ures 6, 8, and 10. At that-time, the locking tab 58 extends from the side panel or wall 52 of the sleeve inwardly between back wall 53, thereof,

and the back panel or wall of the slide, and is disposed between the inner end of the folddown end closure flap for contact therewith. Preliminary to inserting the slide into the sleeve, the thumb tab 31 is bent down into position so as 'occurs,iocking tab 58, due to the inherent resll-- are flush with the ends of the sleeve, as in Fig-- to'be disposed in the notch in side panel or wall v I8 of the slide from which it is cut, in which position it is retained by side wall 52 of the sleeve, during insertion of the slide and while the latter remains in its inner position within the sleeve.

is withdrawn from the sleeve.

the locking tab 58, as shown in Figure 9. That limits the extent of outward movement of the slide relative to the sleeve, and in the outer projected position of the slide the inner end portion of extension 28 of the upper end closure folddown flap is disposed within the upper end portion of the sleeve, with the associated securing tabs 29 also extendinginto the sleeve for an appreciable portion of the length thereof, the arrangement being such as to guard against opening of the upper end of the slide without tearing thereof or of the sleeve, which further contributes to rendering the carton pilferproof. The locking tab 58 thus cooperates with the fold-down end closure flap for restraining the slide against movement ineither direction, relative to the sleeve, beyond either of its positions, and the sleeve'in cooperation with the fold-down end flaps and the securing means therefor prevents opening of either end of the slide, in either of its positions, without causing damage to the carton of a character such as to give evidence of such unauthorized opening. Since the slide is in-' Q itially completely closed, unauthorized access to thecontents thereof cannotbe had without not familiar with its construction, it being noted,

in that respect, that a person familiar with the construction of the carton could remove the slide from the sleeve by inserting a knife blade or other suitable instrument between the slide, from one end thereof, and the locking tab 58, holding the latter in depressed position while the slide However, that cannot readily be done by one not athoroughly familiar with the construction of the carton, since the knife blade orother instrument must be inserted in such manner as to avoid contact thereof with the inner edges of the fold-down end closure flaps, and the carton is, for all practical purposes, substantially pilferproof.

In order initially to dispense the contents of the carton-the slide is first moved into its outer projected position, as shown indotted lines in Figure 6. When the slide reaches: that position, the thumb tab 31, due to its inherent resiliency, springs outwardly into position to extend across the upper edge of side panel or wall 52 at notch 51 thereof, and the lower portion of the tear-out panel 32 then substantially coincides with the notch 56 of front panel or wall l5 of the sleeve, this notch defining a guide for tearing the lower portion of panel 32 from front wall 15, thereby preventing tearing of this wall when separating the lower edge of the tear-out panel therefrom. By grasping thumb tab 31, the tear-out panel 32 is readily tom free from wall l5, along the line of perforations 38. thumb tab 31 serves as a stop preventing inward movement of the slide beyond its proper projected position for removal of the tear out panel 32, assuring that the slide will be properly positioned for that purpose. After the tear-out panel 32 has been torn free from front wall l5 of the slide along the line of perforations 38, it may, if desired, be completely removed by tearing it along the line of perforations 38. That is, however, not essential, and if desired the panel 32 may remain hinged to the slide along the line of perforations 39, and be swung outwardly into open position. In that connection, if desired, instead of providing the line of perforations 39, tear-out panel 32 may be attached to the upper edge of front wall l5 of the slide along a fold line comprising part of the fold line between front wall l5 and end flap 21, or a fold line otherwise suitably located. Upon removal of the tear-out panel 32, or movement outward thereof into open position, the dust flap 43 is swung outward, in the manner above stated, through the opening provided by removal of the tear-out panel. That provides access to the interior of the slide for dispensing the contents thereof through the In that connection, the

opening thus furnished. During the discharge of the contents from the slide, the dust flap 43 extends outward and forward over the discharge opening and serves as a guide for dispensing the contents of the slide, reducing likelihood of spillage. In cases where the tear-out panel is completely removed from the slide, the dust flap 43 provides, when the slide is in its inner position within the sleeve, a closure means for the opening provided by removal of the tear-out panel. As previously noted, the upper portion 43b of dust flap 43 is of the same width as the tear-out panel 32, and this upper portion 43b is of somewhat greater height than the notch 58 in front wall l5. Accordingly, when the tear-out panel 32 is completely removed, upon return of the slide to its inner position within the sleeve, upper portion 43b of dust flap 43 closes the upper end portion of the opening corresponding to the tearout panel, and also covers or closes the notch 56, guarding against entry of particles of materials 'in a pocket in which the carton may be carried, commonly referred to as pocket dust, into the slide. In that connection, it will be noted that in the inner position of the slide, the notch in side wall I8 thereof from which the thumb tab 31 has been cut is disposed at the inner face of side wall 52 of the sleeve so as to be effectively covered thereby.

While I have shown, in Figure 5, the slide as being inserted into the sleeve from the lower end of the latter, for clearness of illustration, it will be undersood that the Slide may be inserted from either end of the sleeve, the locking tab 78 58 being held depressed in a suitable manner until the slide has been inserted sufficiently to hold this tab depressed during the continued insertion of the slide. As the slide is inserted, the back wall of the sleeve may be bulged outward slightly during passage of the fold-down end in its inner position within the sleeve, lockingtab 58 not only contacts the inner edge of extension 28 of the upper fold-downend closure flap, but also contacts the inner edge of the adjacent forwardly extending tab 29 of extension 28, it being noted that the lower edge of tab 29 is flush with the lower edge of extension 28. Likewise, when the slide is in its projected position shown in Figure 9, the lower edge of locking tab 58 contacts the upper edge of the corresponding securing tab 24 of extension 23 of the lower folddown end closure flap. That guards against the locking tab 58 being caught between either of the fold-down end closure flaps and the back wall of the slide, which would be objectionable as possibly resulting in tearing of the tab 58. Preferably this tab 58 extends in the direction of the grain of the box-board of which the sleeve is formed, the fold line connecting this tab to side wall 52 of the sleeve extending across the grain, which is conducive to increased strength of tab 58 and the connection between this tab and panel or back wall 53 of the sleeve, and, in

conjunction with the means guarding against entry of the tab 58 between either of the folddown end closure flaps and the back wall of the slide, guards the locking tab 58 against injury and assures efiicient operation of the carton.

In Figures '7, 8, and 10 the carton is shown in the condition resulting from complete removal of the tear-out panel 32. In cases where that panel is not completely removed and remains hinged at its upper edge to the slide, the panel 32, in the closed position of the slide, would overlie the dust flap 43 and supplement the latter for closing the opening corresponding to the tearout panel. In Figure 10, for example, the tearout panel 32, if not completely removed and hinged at its upper edge to the slide, would extend between front wall l5 of the sleeve and the dust fiap 43 in an obvious manner, supplementing the latterin closing the opening corresponding to the tear-out panel.

When the tear-out panel 32 is retained, the thumb tab 31 is, of course, held in position in the corresponding opening in side wall [8 of the slide flush therewith, while the latter is returned to its inner position within the sleeve. After the tear-out panel 32, if retained, and the dust flap 43 have once been swung outwardly of the slide for dispensing the contents thereof, thereafter they will swing outward by their inherent resiliency when the slide is projected outwardly beyond the glue lap 2|, which latter may then be considered as a panel, perpendicular to the front and the back walls of the slide. In cases where'the slide is to be filled or charged by machine, with the slides in their set-up condition but with their lower ends open, supported in suitable trays or frames, in inverted position, the glue lap 2| need not be adhesively secured to side wall l6 of the slide for the reasons above stated. When the slides are to be filled by hand, glue lap 2| preferably is adhesively secured to side wall I6 of the slide, for convenience in handling, though that is not considered essential. It will be seen that in the carton of my invention but two gluing operations are required, one for the sleeve and one for the slide, and the gluing operation for the slide may be omitted, which is conducive to increased production with corresponding reduction in cost.

It will be understood, as above indicated, that changes in details of construction and arrangement of parts of the carton of my invention may be resorted to without departing from the field and scope thereof, and I intend to include all such variations, as fall within the scope of the appended claims','in-g;{5his application, in which the preferred form only of my invention has been disclosed.

I claim:

1. In a dispensing carton of the character described, a sleeve of substantially, rectangular cross-section comprising side and front and back walls, a slide of substantially rectangular crosssection comprising sidei'a d front and back walls slidable in said sleeve int an inner position with its ends substantially flush with the ends of said sleeve and an outer position with its upper end portion projected outward beyond said sleeve, said upper end portion of said slide being provided with a removable element giving access when removed to the interior of the slide and the ends of said slide being closed by flap means including outer fold down end flaps extending across said ends and thence inward along the back wall of said slide, said flaps having adjacent their inner ends securing tabs extending toward the front of said slide and the back wall of,

said slide having slits receiving said tabs and in cooperation therewith restraining said flaps against outward movement relative to said back wall, and means cooperating with the inner ends of said flaps effective for restraining said slide against movement relative to said sleeve beyond either of its said positions, said fold down flaps being of such length that the inner end portions thereof and said tabs are disposed within said sleeve in either of said positions of said slide.

2. In a dispensing carton of the character described, a sleeve of substantially rectangular cross-section comprising side and front and back walls, a slidt of substantially rectangular cross section comprising sideand front and back walls slidable in said sleeve into an inner position and an outer position, the ends of said slide being closed by flap means including outer fold down end flaps extending across said ends and thence inward along the back wall of said slide, means adjacent the inner ends of said flaps releasably securing them to said slide and against relative outward movement, and a locking element secured to said sleeve disposed between the back wall thereof and the back wall of said slide and between the inner ends of said flaps and in cooperation with the latter restraining movement of said slide relative to said sleeve beyond either of its 'said positions, said flaps being of such length that the inner end portions thereof and said securing means are disposed within said sleeve in either of said positions of said slide.

3. In a dispensing carton of the character described, a sleeve of substantially rectangular cross-section comprising side and front and back walls, a slide of substantially rectangular cross section closed at its ends comprising side and front and back walls slidable in said sleeve intoan inner position and an outer position with its upper end portion projecting outward beyond said sleeve, and means restraining movement of said slide relative to said sleeve beyond either of its said positions, said slide being provided at said upper portion of its front wall with a tear-out panel of less width than said slide front wall and said sleeve being provided at its upper end with a notch substantially conforming to the lower portion of said tear-out panel in said outer position of said slide.

4. In a dispensing carton of the character described, 'a sleeve of substantially rectangular cross-section comprising side and front and back walls, a slide of substantially rectangular crosssection closed at its ends comprising side and front and back walls slidable in said sleeve into an inner position and an outer position with its upper end portion projecting outward beyond said sleeve, and means restraining movement of said slide relative to said sleeve beyond either of its said positions, said slide being provided at said upper portion of its front wall with a tear-out panel of less w'ldth than said slide front wall and having a dust flap hinged to its upper end and underlying said tear-out flap, said sleeve being provided at its upper end with a notch substantially conforming to the lower portion of said tear-out panel in said outer position of said slide and the upper portion of said dust flap being of suflicient extent substantially to close said notch in the inner position of said slide when said tear-out flap has been completely detached therefrom.

CLYDE L. GILBERT. 

